Thermal Fluids Section Manager

Axiom Space; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Axiom Space is seeking a Thermal Fluids Section Manager to lead the Thermal Fluids Analysis organization. This role focuses on thermal analysis and computational fluid dynamics, with responsibilities spanning staffing strategies, personnel assignments, and maintaining section workflows.

The ideal candidate will have a BS in engineering, 8+ years of relevant experience, and demonstrated leadership in technical environments. Join Axiom Space to contribute to groundbreaking space exploration projects.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of engineering experience focused on thermal analysis.
• 3+ years of experience leading technical teams.
• Strong skills in managing staffing and resource planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead assignments and priorities within the Thermal Analysis team.
• Develop staffing strategies and maintain labor forecasts.
• Communicate performance and risks to upper management.

Skills

Thermal analysis

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)

Team leadership

Employee development

Communication skills

Education

BS in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical Engineering

MS in related discipline (Preferred)

Tools

Thermal Desktop

MATLAB

Python

OpenFOAM

Job description

Thermal Fluids Section Manager – Axiom Space

Axiom Space is a human space exploration company building era‑defining space infrastructure and delivering technology‑driven solutions that empower civilization to transcend Earth. This role reports to senior leadership and leads the Thermal Fluids Analysis organization, focusing on thermal analysis and computational fluid dynamics to support current and future programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead personnel assignments and priorities across multiple programs and technical disciplines within Thermal Analysis and Computational Fluid Dynamics.
• Develop and execute section staffing strategies, including workforce planning, hiring, onboarding, retention, succession planning, cross‑training, and employee development.
• Maintain labor forecasts, staffing plans, budget inputs, BOEs, ROMs, and resource estimates for section work to ensure programs have adequate thermal fluid analysis support to meet cost, schedule, technical quality, and customer commitments.
• Partner with program managers, chief engineers, and functional leaders to balance priorities, resolve resource conflicts, and manage technical and schedule risks.
• Serve as the escalation point for technical issues, staffing conflicts, quality concerns, and cross‑disciplinary coordination challenges.
• Track and communicate section performance against budget, schedule, quality, deliverable completion, review closure, and customer commitments.
• Establish, maintain, and enforce section workflows, review gates, standards, templates, analysis checklists, reporting expectations, and configuration‑control practices to ensure technical rigor and consistency.
• Establish and monitor metrics related to quality, productivity, staffing utilization, review effectiveness, and process maturity, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Conduct audits, support customer reviews, design reviews, and readiness reviews, and define corrective‑action activities related to thermal fluids analysis products and processes.
• Develop and maintain section technical capabilities, methods, software tools, automation solutions, and knowledge management practices to ensure long‑term competitiveness and program success.
• Conduct employee one‑on‑ones, performance evaluations, career development discussions, promotion planning, recognition, counseling, and corrective actions as needed; mentor Thermal and CFD engineers.
• Review and approve employee timecards, overtime, travel, training, and resource requests.
• Communicate section performance, staffing risks, technical concerns, and improvement plans to upper management.
• Perform additional job duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical, or related engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of engineering experience, including significant experience in thermal analysis, fluid systems, heat transfer, CFD, and thermal verification and testing.
• 3+ years of experience leading engineering teams, technical organizations, or functional groups, including personnel development, resource planning, and multi-disciplinary coordination.
• Experience with industry‑standard thermal and fluid analysis tools and workflows such as Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, Star‑CCM+, OpenFOAM, MATLAB, Python, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated ability to manage staffing plans, labor forecasts, budgets, schedules, priorities, and multi‑program resource demands.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical issues and recommendations effectively to engineering leadership, program management, customers, and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Experience developing or enforcing engineering workflows, quality procedures, technical standards, review gates, and deliverable expectations.
• Strong communication, organization, mentoring, customer interface, and leadership skills.
• Preferred: MS degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering or related discipline; PMP certification.
• Experience supporting human spaceflight programs and familiarity with NASA standards and requirements.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary thermal analysis and fluid systems organizations.
• Experience with thermal vacuum testing, fluid systems testing, model correlation, and verification activities.
• Experience with configuration management and engineering quality systems.
• Familiarity with spacecraft thermal control systems, environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS), propulsion fluid systems, cryogenic systems, or other aerospace thermal‑fluid applications.

Core Skills

• Passion for space and the mission.
• Entrepreneurial, growth mindset.
• High EQ and ability to collaborate within teams and cross‑functionally.
• Tech‑solutioning in using systems and tools to move smarter and faster.

Core Competencies

• Ownership and Accountability
• Pride of Delivery
• Quality and Technical Rigor

Work Environment

Generally an office environment, but may involve inside or outside work depending on the task.

Export Control & Eligibility

This position may require access to export‑controlled technical data or technology subject to NASA regulations, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Final candidates may be required to undergo additional export control screening to determine eligibility for access.

Physical Requirements

• Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods (90% of the time).
• May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. (5% of the time).
• Standard office equipment (PC, phone, printer, etc.).

Axiom Space is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Axiom Space does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.